Rohith Vemula’s mother and brother will convert to Buddhism today

Three months after the Hyderabad research scholar, Rohtih Vemula committed suicide, his mother and brother will convert to Buddhism in Mumbai today.

Rohith’s death had caused huge outrage over the continuing discrimination against Dalits in India.

The conversion ceremony is likely to take place at Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar in the presence of top monks and Dalit leaders.

Their conversion to Buddhism will also coincide the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Radhika Vemula and Raja Vemula, who reached Mumbai on Wednesday, were taken to an unknown location. The organiser of the event is the Buddhist Society of India, which is headed by Dr Ambedkar’s grandson Bhimrao Ambedkar.

Rohith had committed suicide on the campus of Hyderabad University in January after being expelled by the university administration at the behest of the Union HRD Ministry.

Rohith was accused of having fought with the members of the right-wing student group, ABVP, prompting the local MP, Bandaru Dattatreya to write to Smriti Irani for intervention.

The HRD Ministry had written at least four letters to the VC, Apparao Podile, directing him to take action against the ‘anti-national’ elements.